Time out
Though the holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, they can also cause a bounty of stress both at home and at work.

Stress out
A recent survey conducted by Northwestern National Life found that 40 percent of workers believe their job is very or extremely stressful.

Page turners
Giving a career book for a holiday gift probably won't result in a teary-eyed moment of appreciation, but if the job seeker on your gift list finds a tip in your present that helps him or her land a job, you should be eligible for at least a free lunch.

Give the arts more play
The Empire used to publish a decent arts insert with detailed articles supported by nice pictures of local entertainment. Please bring back some good arts reporting. My usual Thursday morning routine is to put the Hooligan and the Sears flyer directly in the recycling bin (although, given the choice, I would rather read the Sears flyer).

Ninth Circuit rules against Slate Lake mine project
Conservationists won an important court ruling Friday when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld an injunction preventing the Kensington Mine from continuing construction work at Lower Slate Lake, where the company eventually hopes to dump its tailings.

Juneau, Meet Palin
Alaska's new governor, recently arrived in Juneau, now faces a whole new challenge: Winning over residents of the state's capital, who didn't support her at election time and worry about her intentions for the capital.

Photo: Bewitching bazaar display
Erin Cole watches a miniature replica of the Alaska Railroad run around tracks Saturday at Bear's Alaska Bazaar in the Centennial Hall. Cole said she had never seen a train set before and was mesmerized with the model as it clicked along in circles.

Legislator indicted on 7 charges
An Alaska lawmaker accused of trading his legislative influence for thousands of dollars from a corrections-company consultant who recorded the dealings has been charged with felony extortion, conspiracy, bribery and money laundering.

Murrelet mystery: Seabirds hit the slopes and no one knows why
When most people are just waking up for work, Kristen Romanoff is usually out skiing. Two or three times a week, she and several friends hike up to Eaglecrest ski area for some telemarking, their way illuminated by moonlight and the narrow beam of their headlamps.

Southeast deer weathering tough Autumn
Last weekend a couple of friends went deer hunting at Oliver's Inlet on Admiralty Island. Cruising the shoreline in a snow storm, they saw two hunters on the beach who had just harvested a pair of does.

Capturing the aurora
t's a rare clear night in Juneau. The moon is absent and the sky dark. You've checked the forecast online at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute's Web site, and it says there's a good chance of seeing the aurora borealis.

Where will the Answer be playing?
The big story in basketball this week is the impending departure of Allen Iverson from the Philadelphia 76ers. While there has been serious talk coming out of Philly about dumping Iverson and moving on for some time now, seemingly cresting this summer when he was nearly dealt to the Celtics, this time it is a near certainty that the Answer is no longer in the question for the Sixers.

Regents approve virology lab design
The University of Alaska Board of Regents approved designs for a new state virology lab and approved a new bachelor's degree in emergency management at UA Fairbanks.

Drilling company fined for injury
An oil-well drilling company has been fined for three alleged violations stemming from a worker injury at the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.